Spout-shower plumbing fixture



Aug. 12, 1958 R. P. ZETTINIG SPOUT-SHOWER PLUMBING FIXTURE Filed Nov. 19. 1956 5 2 9 Z & w 4 I M 0 m W m 3 g 2 I: at i 0 I j i. m x u m IN V EN TOR.

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2,846,691 srour-suowun PrUrvmnvG FIXTURE Rudolf P. Zettinig,

kee Faucets, Wisconsin Milwaukee, Wis, assignor to Milwaulno, Milwaukee, Wis, a corporation The present invention relates generally to improvements in the art of selectively distributing liquid from a common source to several localities; and it relates more specifically to improvements in the construction and operation of plumbing fixtures for interchangeably delivering liquid under pressure derived from a common source of supply either through a spout directly into a receptacle such as a tub, or through a shower head located considerably above the spout into the same receptacle.

The primary object of the invention is to provide an improved plumbing fixture for alternately diverting the flow of liquid from a source of supply to several zones of utilization of the liquid, which is simple and compact in construction and highly effective in use.

It has heretofore been proposed to provide various types of so-called spout-shower plumbing fixtures adapted to deliver liquid from a common supply source into a bath tub either through a spout disposed within the tub or through a shower nozzle located at a considerable height above the same tub, and while some of these prior devices have had a moderate degree of commercial success they are all objectionable for various reasons. Most of these prior devices are relatively complicated and difficult to install and manipulate, and they are also dangerous in actual use due to their inability to positively prevent water from being accidentally delivered through the shower outlet. Then too, many of the previous fixtures of this type involved considerable liquid leakage and were not capable of rapid diversion of the liquid stream, and some did not permit liquid to quickly escape from all of the spout and shower connections when the water supply valves were shut off. Aside from the foregoing objections, most of the prior devices of this kind were too costly and unreliable in operation, thus vastly restricting their universal adoption.

It is therefore an important object of the present invention to provide an improved spout-shower fixture which obviates all of the defects and objectionable features of the prior devices of this type, and wherein interruption of the liquid supply from the source, automatically causes the fixture to assume liquid spouting condition.

Another important object of this invention is to provide an improved liquid distribution assemblage adapted to alternately deliver water to either a spout or a shower, and in which the shower is positively made entirely inactive whenever liquid is being delivered through the spout.

A further important object of the invention is to provide an improved convertible spout-shower device, wherein all liquid is automatically drained from both the shower and spout supply conduits when the supply of fresh liquid stops.

Still another important object of my invention is to provide an improved combination spout and shower plumbing fixture in which undesirable leakage is eliminated, and wherein the flow diverter may be confined entirely within the spout member of the assemblage.

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An additional important object of the present invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive spout-shower fixture which is quickly convertible from one use to the other while being operable with utmost safety at all times.

These and other more specific objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description.

A clear conception of the various features constituting the present improvement, and of the construction and operation of a typical commercial embodiment of the invention, may be had by referring to the drawing accompanying and forming a part of this specification in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts in the various views.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a complete spout shower installation embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged part sectional top view of the flow diverting fixture, the section being taken centrally along a horizontal plane through the hot and cold liquid supply valves and through a portion of the spout and diverter assemblage, and the supply valve actuating handles having been omitted;

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2, and showing the diverter assemblage in liquid spouting condition;

Fig. 4 is another transverse vertical section taken through the fixture along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2, but illustratirrg the diverter assemblage in liquid showering condition;

Fig. 5 is a partial longitudinal vertical section taken along the line 5-5 through the spout of the fixture of Fig. 2, again showing the diverter assemblage in liquid spouting condition as in Fig. 3; and

Fig. 6 is another partial longitudinal vertical section taken through the spout along the line 55 of Fig. 2, but illustrating the diverter assemblage in liquid showering condition as in Fig. 4.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as having been embodied in a typical spout-shower plumbing fixture adapted to cooperate with a bath tub with the spout located directly within and the shower head disposed considerably above the same tub, it is not intended to restrict the use of the improved features to such an installation; and it is also contemplated that spe-' cific descriptive terms employed herein be given the broadest possible interpretation consistent with the disclosure.

Referring to the drawing, the improved spout-shower fixture illustrated, comprises in general, a casing 8 having similar hot and cold liquid supply valves 9 associated with its opposite ends and also having an internal liquid conducting conduit it) connecting the valves 9; a spout member ll firmly attached to the mid-portion of the casing 8 and having therein a transverse bore 12 one side of which is connected to the conduit 14) by an inlet duct 13 while its opposite side communicates with a spout outlet duct lid and its medial upper portion has a shower outlet duct 15 leading upwardly therefrom; a liquid flow control plug or element 16 rotatably confined within the bore 12 and having a pendent weight 17 radiating from its reduced outer end 18, while its medial portion is provided with a through passage or opening 19 and with a transverse passage or opening 2%) radiating from the passage 19; and a shower nozzle or head 21 connected by a pipe 22 with the upper outlet 15.

The mixture mounting and liquid supply casing 3 is normally covered by an escutcheon housing 23 and is provided with rear hollow supporting extensions 24 through which the hot and cold liquids under pressure are supplied from available sources, and the control valves 9 are operable by means of handles 25 secured to the valve stems while the conduit it) also serves as a mixing 3 Chamber for the admitted liquids, see Figs. 1 and 2. The casing and spout assembly is ordinarily disposed within a receptacle such as a bath tub, while the shower head 21 is located rather high above the same receptacle and is universally movably :attached to the extreme upper end ,of-the pipe 21 the medial portion of which may be secured to an adjacent bath-room wall by a steadying bracket 26. The spout member 11 is firmly securedto the casing 8 by means of ,a screw threaded adapter 27 through which the inlet .duct 13-extends, and the lower end of the shower supply pipe is likewise attached to the spout member 11 by :means of a slip-joint connector 28 which provides an open passage between the spout outlet duct 15 andthe pipe 22.

The construction and functioning of the rotary flow control element 16 constitute an important part of the present improvement, .and this-element 16 must be rather snugly but freely rotatably confined within the bore 12 as by means ,of a stufling gland 29 sealingly engaging the reduced end 18 and the adjacent end surface of the element 16. The end of the bore 12 remote from the gland 29 is sealed, and the portions .of the element 16 on the opposite sides of the passages or openings 19, may also be provided with sealing rings 30 as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4. The through passage '19 is of considerably smaller transverse cross-section or area at its inlet end than at its discharge end and gradually enlarges toward its discharge end, and the transverse passage 20 has considerably smaller transverse cross-section or area than the medial portion of the through opening 19. The area of the inlet duct 13 at the inlet side of the element 16 and adjacent to the inlet end of the passage 19 must be considerably greater than the inlet end of this passage, and the area of the spout outlet duct 14 is the same as that of the larger outlet end of the through passage 19 while the duct14 also gradually enlarges toward the open spout end 31. The duct 15 leading to the shower head 21 has the same cross-sectional area as thatof the opening 20 but considerably less than the inlet duct 13,'and the pendent weight 17 has relatively great heft and is firmly attached to the element end 18.

When the improved spout-shower plumbing fixture has been properly constructed and assembled as hereinabove described, and has been installed for cooperation with a bath tub and with sources of supply of hot and cold liquid under pressure, it may be utilized to alternately deliver liquid either directly into the tub through the open spout end 31, or through the shower head 21 in the following manner. With the various parts of the assemblage positioned .as in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 5, when liquid under pressure is admitted from one or both sources into the conduit 10 by opening one or both control valves 9, the admitted liquid is initially mixed within this conduit 10 and thereafter flow freely and at high velocity through the inlet duct 13 and the expanding passage or opening 19 and through the outlet duct 14 and open spout end 31 into the tub. During its flow through the gradually expanding opening 19, the liquid creates a Venturi etfect which causes air to be sucked into the transverse opening 20 and thus positively prevents liquid from entering the shower supply pipe 22 so that all liquid will be discharged from the spout member 11 alone.

If it becomes desirable to utilize the shower, the pendent weight -17 should be swung from vertical into horizontal condition thereby rotating the flow control element 16 within the bore 12 into the position shown in Figs. 4 and 6. The liquid under pressure admitted to the conduit 10 and inlet 12 will then act upon the peripheral surface of the element 16 surrounding the entrance to the opening 20 at the adjacent end of the inlet duct 13, to hold the element 16 in showering position, and liquid will flow freely through the passages 20, 19 and through the shower outlet duct 15 and pipe 22 to the shower head 21, while the spout outlet duct 14 will be sealed by the same pressure which holds the element 16 in shower supply condition. However, if the supply of liquid under pressure is .cut ofi by closure of the valves .9 or for any other reason, then the weight 17 willnnrnediately drop into upright position, thereby automatically shutting off the passages leading to the shower and restoring the element to spouting position as In Figs. 2, 3 and 5 so that subsequent restoration of the supply of liquid pressure will not cause delivery of liquid to the shower head 21.

From the foregoing detailed description of the functloning of the device, it will be apparent that the improved spout-shower fixture will permit delivery of liquid through the shower only when so desired by the user,

and only when the weight 17 is manually adjusted or swung into horizontal position. If .no liquid under pressure is available when such adjustment is made, the

Weight 17 will drop back into upright position upon being released, and this weight 17 will also return to such position if the liquid pressure fails whilethe shower is inuse. The formation of the passages 19, '20 so as to produce a Venturi .eifect positively prevents liquid from flowing through the shower while it is :being spouted directly into the .tub, and this Venturi effect is also augmented by the gradual enlargement .of the spout outlet duct 14.

The entire assemblage is obviously simple, compact and durable, and may be readily installed and also conveniently manipulated with utmost safety. The various seals and packings positively eliminate undesirable leakage and dripping, and whenever the liquid supply valves are closed the liquid from within the various parts of the fixture will promptly drain into the tub. The fixture may also be produced at low cost by applying the flow control element within a bore 12 in the spout member 11 and by mounting the shower supply pipe 22 and head 21 directly upon this same spout member instead of the casing 8, and the assemblage is also manipulable to effect' instant diverting of the flow from the spout to the shower and functions quickly and automatically to restore the flow to spouting condition. The improved fixture has proven highly satisfactory and successful in actual use, and may obviously be utilized in conjunction with receptacles other than bath tubs.

It should be understood that it is not desired to limit this invention to the exact details of construction and operation of the spout-shower fixture herein specifically shown and described, for various modifications within the scope of the appended claims may occur to persons skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. In a spout-shower fixture, a conduit member provided with a transverse bore communicable through an inlet with a source of liquid under pressure and through a primary outlet with a discharge spout and through a secondary outlet with a shower head, a round liquid flow control element rotatably confined within said bore and having therein a diametrical through opening providing a passage within the element of gradually. enlarging areaex-tending from said inlet to said primary outletand also having therein a radial opening of smaller area .communicating with a medial portion of the said diametrical opening for alternately connecting said through .opening with said secondary outlet, and a pendent weight suspended from said element and co perating therewith toautomatically rotate the element to connect said through opening with said inlet and said primary outlet whenever the liquid supply .from said source is interrupted.

2. In a spout-shower fixture, a conduit member provided with a transverse bore communicable through an inlet with a source of liquid under pressure and through a primary outlet with a discharge spout and. through a secondary outlet with a shower head, valve means for controlling the supply of liquid from said source to said inlet, a round liquid flowcontrol element rotatably confined within said bore and having therein a diametrical direct through openingplioviding a Venturi passage within the element of gradually enlarging area extending from said inlet to said primary outlet and also having a radial transverse opening of smaller area than said inlet communicating with a medial portion of said Venturi passage for alternately connecting the medial portion of said through opening with said secondary outlet, and a pendent weight suspended from said element and cooperating therewith to automatically rotate the element to directly connect said through opening with said inlet and said primary outlet whenever the liquid supply from said source is interrupted.

3. In a spout-shower fixture, a conduit member provided with a bore communicable through an inlet with a source of liquid under pressure and through a primary outlet with a discharge spout and through a secondary outlet with a shower head, a round liquid flow control element rotatably confined and end sealed within said bore and having direct through opening affording an internal Venturi passage of gradually enlarging area extending from said inlet to said primary outlet and also having a transverse radial opening of smaller area through said element for alternately connecting the medial portion of said through opening with said secondary outlet, said inlet being formed to subject the side of said element exposed to said source to greater liquid pressure than its opposite side, and a pendent weight suspended from said element and cooperating therewith to automatically rotate the element to directly connect said through opening with said inlet and said primary outlet whenever the liquid supply from said source is interrupted.

4. In a spout-shower fixture, a spout member provided with a transverse bore communicable through an inlet with a valve controlled source of liquid under pressure and through a horizontal outlet with a discharge spout and through a vertical outlet with a shower head, a cylindrical element rotatably confined within said bore and having a direct diametrical through opening affording a Venturi passage of gradually enlarging area extending from said inlet to said horizontal outlet and also having a lateral radial opening of smaller area for alternately connecting the medial portion of said Venturi passage with said vertical outlet, and a weight eccentrically suspended from said element and cooperating therewith to automatically rotate the element to directly eonnect said through opening with said inlet and said primary outlet while connecting said smaller opening with said vertical outlet whenever the liquid supply is interrupted.

5. In a spout-shower fixture, a spout member provided with a transverse horizontal bore communicable through a horizontal inlet with a valve controlled source of liquid under pressure and through a horizontal outlet with a discharge spout and through a vertical outlet with a shower head, a cylindrical element rotatably confined and end sealed within said bore and having direct diametrioal through opening affording a Venturi passage of gradually enlarging area extending from said inlet to said horizontal outlet and also having a lateral radial opening of smaller area for alternately connecting the medial portion of said Venturi passage with said vertical outlet, said inlet being formed to cause liquid pressure from said source to force said element toward said horizontal outlet, and a weight eccentrically suspended from said element and being operable to automatically rotate the element to directly connect said through opening with said inlet and said primary outlet whenever the liquid supply is interrupted.

6. in a spout-shower fixture, a liquid dispensing member having a transverse bore and a liquid inlet at one side of the bore communicating with a source of liquid under pressure, the opposite side of said bore having an outlet communicable with a liquid discharge spout and the portion of said bore between said inlet and spout outlet having another outlet of smaller 'area than that of said inlet communicable with a shower, a round element rotatably confined within said bore and having therein a diametrical internal through passage adapted to connect said inlet with said spout outlet and also having an internal radial passage adapted to connect the medial portion of said diametrical through passage with said shower outlet, said through passage having gradually enlarging transverse area forming a Venturi approaching said spout outlet and being of less area than said inlet at its liquid receiving end while said radial passage is of less transverse area than the adjacent portion of said through passage, and a weight eccentrically secured to said element and cooperating therewith to automatically rotate the element into spout communicating position whenever the liquid supply is interrupted.

7. In a spout-shower fixture, a liquid dispensing member having a transverse bore and a liquid inlet at one side of the bore communicating with .a source of liquid under pressure, the opposite side of said bore having an outlet communicable with a liquid discharge spout and the portion of said bore between said inlet and spout outlet having another outlet of smaller area than that of said inlet communicable with .a shower, a round element rotatably confined within said bore and having therein an internal diametrical through passage adapted to connect said inlet with said spout outlet and also having an internal radial gassage adapted to connect the medial portion of said through passage with said shower outlet, said through passage gradually enlarging in area and said radial passage coacting with the through passage to produce a Venturi effect, and a weight eccentrically secured to said element and being operable to rotate the element to place said through passage in horizontal position whenever the liquid supply is interrupted.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 769,429 Caldwell Sept. 6, 1904 1,924,771 Brown et a1 Aug. 29, 1933 2,281,199 McGarry et a1. Apr. 28, 1942 

